When the lights dim and the first notes rise into the stillness, the Daytona Beach Symphony Society offers an experience unlike anything else on the local stage. This is the visceral magic of orchestral performance. It offers a kind of spellbinding immersion that cannot be replicated by screens, algorithms, or even other forms of live entertainment. For more than seventy years, the Symphony has carried that magic forward, season after season, inviting listeners into an experience that is both timeless and deeply human.
This season marks a full-circle moment for the Symphony. Their performances now fill the News-Journal Center, a fitting home given that T. Wayne Davidson—the founding force behind the Symphony—was also publisher of the Daytona Beach News-Journal. With free parking, walkable dining, and a modern, welcoming layout, the venue makes attending feel both elegant and easy. Just steps away, the Esplanade sets the tone, inviting guests to grab dinner or a drink before the show. It adds a cosmopolitan flair to an evening out that some might not expect in Daytona.
That cultural impact deepens with the Symphony’s YES Program, now celebrating its 30th year. Through this initiative, Volusia County students attend live performances completely free of charge, including transportation, tickets, and even cookies and water at intermission, all covered by the Symphony Society. “It’s a good experience for any child,” says Francis. “They don’t get a lot of cultural engagement at school, not as much as they should.” For many students, it is their first exposure to classical music—an art form that can shape their worldview in powerful ways.
While classical music may seem like a niche reserved for longtime patrons, the Symphony is looking ahead with a renewed focus on welcoming fresh audiences. Since the post-pandemic dip, interest has steadily returned, and new faces are beginning to appear in the crowd. “Subscriptions are starting to pick back up,” says Francis. This season brings a vibrant and varied lineup, from Handel’s Messiah to Carmen, along with appearances by the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Manhattan Chamber Players. “The first time I heard Jacksonville Symphony, I was backstage and thought—this is some of the best brass playing I’ve ever heard. Perfectly together, perfectly in tune.”
There is a hush before the first downbeat, a subtle stillness that settles in the room. In that space, without screens, scrolling, or digital noise, there is simply music. Real musicians performing in real time, creating a sound that cannot be fabricated or fast-forwarded. “What we’re doing is live,” Francis says. “It could go wrong at any time, and that’s part of what makes it special.” For those willing to slow down and listen, the reward is not just a performance. It is a sense of presence, a rare encounter with something entirely real.
2025 Symphony Season Lineup
All performances begin at 7 PM at the News-Journal Center in downtown Daytona Beach.
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Dec. 11 – Handel’s Messiah
Jacksonville Symphony, conducted by Courtney Lewis -
Jan. 8 – John Williams Salutes America
Jacksonville Symphony, conducted by Courtney Lewis -
Jan. 30 – Carmen by Georges Bizet
Teatro Lirico D’Europa -
Feb. 26 – Serenade for Strings
Manhattan Chamber Players perform Dvořák and Tchaikovsky -
Mar. 27 – Brahms and Bruch
Buffalo Philharmonic, conducted by Joanne Falletta
Visit dbss.org for tickets, subscriptions, and full concert details.